Bee Swarms

Swarming is the natural means of reproduction of honey bee colonies. A new honey bee colony is formed when the queen bee leaves the colony with a large group of worker bees, a process called swarming. In the prime swarm, about 60% of the worker bees leave the original hive location with the old queen. This swarm can contain thousands to tens of thousands of bees. Swarming is mainly a spring phenomenon, usually within a two- or three-week period depending on the locale, but occasional swarms can happen throughout the producing season.

If you encounter a swarm of honeybees in a public place or one settles on your property, please in the first instance try to confirm that it is indeed a honeybee swarm by looking at the guide on the British Beekeepers Association website. Once you have confirmed it is a swarm of honey bees please contact our swarm coordinator on 01524 858247 or complete the Contact us link on this site.

If you see a swarm, remember it?s a good thing, but do not interfere with it yourself.

If you are in the Lancaster/Lune valley area contact our swarm coordinators in Lancaster 01524 858247.

They will advise you and organise a local beekeeper to deal with the problem if appropriate.

Outside this area

Visit www.britishbee.org.uk and click the SWARM link to find out useful information and your local swarm officer.

Alternatively call the British Beekeepers Swarm Line on 07896 751205 open Mon ? Friday 9.00 am to 5.30 pm.